Green Hill Solar Farm has received Development Consent, marking a significant milestone for the proposed renewable energy project in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.
Following a detailed examination process, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has approved the Development Consent Order (DCO) for Green Hill Solar Farm.
The decision, made on 8 October 2026, allows our scheme to progress towards construction, subject to the requirements and conditions set out in the Development Consent Order. You can read the full Order on the PINS website here.
About Green Hill Solar Farm
Green Hill Solar Farm lies across land in the administrative areas of West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council and Milton Keynes City Council.
The scheme comprises nine areas of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, together with battery energy storage systems, grid connection infrastructure and other infrastructure required to construct, operate, maintain and eventually decommission the project.
The solar farm is designed to have a generating capacity of up to 500 megawatts (MW). Electricity generated by the solar farm will be connected to the national electricity network at the National Grid substation at Grendon, Northamptonshire.
Green Hill has been developed through an extensive programme of consultation and engagement. Early engagement began in 2024, followed by statutory consultation and targeted engagement before the DCO application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in May 2025. The application was accepted for Examination in June 2025.
Once operational, Green Hill Solar Farm will generate renewable energy to power approximately , helping to strengthen energy security while contributing to national and local climate objectives.
Responding to feedback
Throughout the development of the scheme, feedback from local communities, landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders has been considered as part of the design process.
Feedback received through consultation helped shape the scheme, resulting in refinements to landscaping, biodiversity measures and opportunities to enhance public rights of way.
Project Development Manager Lesley Giles said: 'I want to thank the local communities who engaged with our consultation process and the independent examination of our proposals. Their feedback has helped us to shape Green Hill to its local environment. I am also grateful to the team who worked to design and deliver this successful application.'
Green Hill has committed to a minimum 47% biodiversity net gain in habitat units, which means that some of this land will be used for a range of environmental and habitat improvements, including over 14.4 hectares of green corridors and woodland planting and 50.7km (31.5 miles) of new and improved hedgerows. The scheme will include more than 18km (more than 11 miles) of new permissive paths to improve the local footpath network. A community fund will ensure that local people benefit from the scheme.
Source: Green Hill Solar Farm
